⨳ wuss2012: building macros and tracking their use ⨳

August 2, 2012

I was invited to submit a paper to the Western Users of SAS Software conference this September. Here it is.

Here is an excerpt from the abstract:

Many of the routine tasks we do in SAS can be converted into parameterized macros. Whether you are pulling standard data sets for ad hoc reports or some other low-level functionality, macros can help make repetitious tasks more palatable. Developing a common macro script structure and committing to it are just the first steps toward having a more concise code base.

This paper outlines framework for developing component macros that report back macro usage. While the framework was developed in a SAS 9.1/9.2 client-server environment (running under Windows XP, 32-bit), it should work under any client-server environment and could be modified to run under disparate clients sharing a common networked drive.

The code is over on GitHub and the full submission can be read here.